Pride of Longbridge Rally - April 18th 2009
This event was organised by the Austen ex-apprentice Association and was to be a celebration of British cars five years after the closure of the Longbridge plant.
So those of us who felt like taking on the three-hour trip to Birmingham met very early on the Saturday for the drive up to the rally. We arrived at the Hopwood services from where we were to join in the Convey to Longwood. On arriving we found an array of different cars and it was really nice to see some of the forgotten models, such as the Allegro and Maestro Owners Club.
I am very pleased to say that MG was well represented with many models from MG 1100 to ZT. We were expecting an organised convoy to begin, but in the end it was more a case of a steady stream of cars leaving the service station.
After an eventful drive, where I got lost twice (My thanks to Mick for guiding me back!). We arrived at the site just opposite the main factory gates. It was sad to see so much of the old MG Rover plant now just flattened land, but the MG group flag is flying in the middle of it all, like a phoenix from the ashes and with a number of new TF LE500’s waiting to be delivered, you feel there is hope for the future.
We were parked up in models, so it was a chance to see what other owners have done to their cars. There were lots of old favourites, such as Austin A35’s and Sevens and a few unusual ones such as the Maxis and the Land Crab Owners Club (Austin, Morris and Wolseley 1800/2200). It was so encouraging to see young owners of Rovers and MG’s and their modifications, such as the ZR with Gull wing doors!
The other interesting factor was that so many of the visitors looking round the rally were ex-employees and could tell you about how the models were made and a few tricks that were learnt on the production line! I saw one Mini owner have his carburettor stripped out and re-built; I bet he never expected that!
So after a few hours of chatting and looking around it was time to say goodbye and start our home return journey, after making a number of new friends.
Andy Harris
